Patents by Inventor Floyd Fairbanks
Floyd Fairbanks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7537024Abstract: A shut-off valve or connecting valve capable of connecting a fuel supply to a fuel cell is disclosed. The valve comprises a first valve component and a second valve component. Each valve component has an outer housing and a biased slidable member disposed inside the housing forming an internal seal. During the connection process, the two valve components establish an inter-component seal. Afterward, in one suitable embodiment the slidable member moves inward and opens the internal seal in the valve component to establish a flow path. In another embodiment, the slidable member moves inward and exposes a first filler and the first filler abuts a second filler in the other valve component to establish a flow path. In other embodiments, at least one valve component is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20090130507Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi, JR., Constance R. Stephan
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Patent number: 7481858Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stephan
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Publication number: 20080231836Abstract: A fuel cell (9) includes a removable and replaceable fuel supply (12) having fuel disposed therein. A system for monitoring various parameters of the fuel such as temperature, pressure, and the levels of dissolved oxygen is provided. A plurality of sensors (30) is disposed on the fuel supply side that is capable of communicating with a controller (18) and memory (13) on the fuel cell side. In another embodiment, at least one sensor for measuring a system parameter of the fuel communicates with an RFID tag (50) either remotely or via a hardwired link. The sensor and/or the RFID tag may be coated with a substance impervious to the caustic fuel. An RFID reader station collects the data. The controller may be included to use the data in real time to alter system parameters, such as fuel pumping rates or a bleed off, or to trigger a signal, such as to notify a user of an empty fuel supply. In another embodiment, an optical sensor (61, 102) may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2006Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Charles Loonis, Hung T. Than, Michael Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20080226965Abstract: A fuel supply (1) including a cover (2) having an opening (8) for access to the fuel. The cover (2) includes a shutter (12) or similar element for closing off the opening (8) to increase the operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of the fuel supply (1). In one embodiment, the cover (1) includes a support (6) with a rotatable cap (4), where the rotation of the cap causes the shutter (12) to open. In another embodiment, the cover includes a base and a slidable cap, where the slidable cap is the shutter. The shutter (12) may be manually actuated, mechanically actuated or electrically actuated. The cover (2) may be biased to the open position or to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2006Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Paul Spahr, Floyd Fairbanks, Michael Curello
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Publication number: 20080216906Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus (10) includes a reaction chamber (18) containing a solid fuel component (24) and a liquid fuel component (22) that is introduced into the reaction chamber by a fluid path, such as a tube, nozzle, or valve. The flow of the liquid fuel to the solid fuel is self-regulated. Other embodiments of the gas-generating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2006Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: SOCIETE BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Michael Curello
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Publication number: 20080206113Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus (12) includes a fuel introducing system that has a fuel transporting system that is pressure regulated and indexed. A reaction chamber (18) having a fluid fuel component (22) and an indexing mechanism (24) operatively connected to a solid fuel component are provided. The solid fuel component of the present invention is introduced into the fluid fuel component within the reaction chamber. Further, the indexing mechanism includes a ratcheting mechanism that may be in direct contact with the fluid fuel component. Alternatively, the reaction chamber may be contained within a pod which also contains the reservoir containing the fluid fuel component, a plurality of which are provided. The indexing mechanism advances the pods sequentially so that the fuel components may be introduced. Other indexing mechanisms are provided. A secondary fuel cell (14?) may be provided to extract excess production from the reaction chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2006Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Constance R. Stepan, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Anthony Sgroi, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20080145739Abstract: Fuel supplies including multiple valve components and fuel cell systems having increased operational resistance to the insertion and/or removal of fuel supplies are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2005Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi
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Publication number: 20080118785Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel supply and fuel system with an ion filter and an ion gauge. The filter can be made from discrete pieces of polymeric filter material. The polymeric filter material is substantially the same as the proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in the fuel cell. The ion gauge measures the level of ions in the fuel by measuring a voltage across a section of fuel or a current through the same section. The voltage or current is related to the ion level in the fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: SOCIETE BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, David L. Reichert
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Publication number: 20080095689Abstract: Fuel cell fuel supplies having single and multiple compartments for storing and containing fuel cell fuel precursor reagents. These fuel supplies allow storage and packaging of precursors for in situ production and use of fuel cell fuel. A method for making fuel cell fuel and a fuel cell system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20080035669Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a fuel storage chamber having a fuel gas stored within a plurality of microspheres. A releasing mechanism releases the gas from the microspheres, such as by fracturing the spheres or diffusing the gas through the spheres. A ratcheting mechanism controls the release of the gas, such as hydrogen, from the microspheres. The ratcheting mechanism is controlled by either the pressure within the fuel storage chamber or an electronic controller. Additionally, the gas-generating apparatus of the present invention includes a fuel introducing system that has a fuel transporting system that is pressure regulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Patent number: 7329348Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel supply and fuel system with an ion filter and an ion gauge. The filter can be made from discrete pieces of polymeric filter material. The polymeric filter material is substantially the same as the proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in the fuel cell. The ion gauge measures the level of ions in the fuel by measuring a voltage across a section of fuel or a current through the same section. The voltage or current is related to the ion level in the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, David L Reichert
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Patent number: 7329470Abstract: Fuel cell fuel supplies having single and multiple compartments for storing and containing fuel cell fuel precursor reagents. These fuel supplies allow storage and packaging of precursors for in situ production and use of fuel cell fuel. A method for making fuel cell fuel and a fuel cell system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20070277368Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell supply for a fuel cell having an outer casing, a liner member containing methanol, and a valve component comprising a valve body member and a slidable body member disposed inside the valve body member. The slidable body member is normally biased toward a valve seat surface to seal the valve component and the slidable body member can be moved away from the valve seat surface to open the valve component. The liner member, the valve body member and the slidable body member are made from at least two different materials and wherein at least one of the members compatible with methanol. Hence, each component can be selected from material(s) that is substantially optimal for its function in the fuel supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2004Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20070207354Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel supply with an environmentally sensitive valve. The environmentally sensitive valve is sensitive to the environmental factor(s) such as temperature, pressure or velocity. The valve may be configured so that the valve automatically resets when the environmental triggering event no longer exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2005Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: SOCIETE BICInventors: Andrew Curello, Anthony Sgroi, Paul Adams, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20070114485Abstract: A cartridge connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The cartridge comprises an outer casing and an inner flexible liner containing fuel for the fuel cell. The inner flexible liner may have an insert disposed inside the inner liner to facilitate the transport of fuel from the cartridge to the fuel cell. The insert minimizes the fuel that is trapped within the cartridge. The inner flexible liner can be used without the outer casing. The outer casing can be substantially rigid or flexible. The cartridge is also adaptable to receive byproducts from the fuel cell. The cartridge can also be pressurized to push fuel to the fuel cell. Unidirectional relief valves are also disclosed to prevent internal pressure in the cartridge from becoming too high or too low.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Patent number: 7217470Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cartridge with a fuel reservoir containing fuel and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or a stack. The fuel cartridge is selectively operatively associated with the electronic device to power the device. In one embodiment, the fuel cartridge may be received within a chamber in the electronic device. In another embodiment, the fuel cartridge may be operatively associated with the electronic device while external thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20070099058Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cartridge with a fuel reservoir containing fuel and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or a stack. The fuel cartridge is selectively operatively associated with the electronic device to power the device. In one embodiment, the fuel cartridge may be received within a chamber in the electronic device. In another embodiment, the fuel cartridge may be operatively associated with the electronic device while external thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Applicant: SOCIETE BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20070077463Abstract: A fuel supply connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel supply comprises an outer casing and a fuel liner and an effective amount of fuel in the space between the outer casing and the fuel liner to control the pressure inside the fuel liner. In one example, the fuel inside the fuel liner is methanol, and the fuel between the outer casing and the fuel liner is methanol or methanol gel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Constance Stepan
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Patent number: 7172825Abstract: A cartridge connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The cartridge comprises an outer casing and an inner flexible liner containing fuel for the fuel cell. The inner flexible liner may have an insert disposed inside the inner liner to facilitate the transport of fuel from the cartridge to the fuel cell. The insert minimizes the fuel that is trapped within the cartridge. The inner flexible liner can be used without the outer casing. The outer casing can be substantially rigid or flexible. The cartridge is also adaptable to receive byproducts from the fuel cell. The cartridge can also be pressurized to push fuel to the fuel cell. Unidirectional relief valves are also disclosed to prevent internal pressure in the cartridge from becoming too high or too low.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks